PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC will open preseason training camp on Monday, March 10, as they begin preparations for the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League campaign. The defending NWSL champions, Thorns FC start their preparation for the season with a two-week training camp in Portland before departing for Tucson, Ariz., on March 25.

Thorns FC will participate in their first preseason training under new head coach Paul Riley on March 10 at Providence Park.

Forward Alex Morgan and Mexico National Team forward Jackie Acevedo will join Thorns FC for the start of training camp, while several other national team players will arrive in camp at later dates. Defender Rachel Van Hollebeke is expected to join the team following the conclusion of U.S. Women’s National Team participation in the Algarve Cup in Portugal, which ends on March 12. Forward Christine Sinclair is scheduled to arrive in Portland on March 20 and goalkeeper Nadine Angerer is set to join the club for training camp on March 23. Canada and Germany are currently involved in the Cyprus Cup and Algarve Cup, respectively.

Hosted by club FC Tucson, Thorns FC will train in Tucson, Ariz., from March 25-April 1. During the team’s stay in southern Arizona, Thorns FC are scheduled to square off against the University of Arizona on Friday, March 28, at 6 p.m. (Pacific) and Arizona State University on Sunday, March 30 at 1 p.m. (Pacific); both matches will be played at the North Stadium at Kino Sports Complex. Individual tickets, starting at $10, for the preseason games in Tucson, are available online through FC Tucson at www.fctucson.com.

Thorns FC open the 2014 regular season on April 12 against expansion club Houston Dash at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.